ATD COMPLETE BUILDING PROJECT AT KALUNDU COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Here at ATD, we’ve been working closely with the charity Just a Drop since 2010. If you’re not familiar with the charity, Just a Drop raises money to build wells, install boreholes and ultimately provide clean, safe water in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. Our partnership with this amazing charity began with a commitment to donate £30,000 over 3 years. Our main project aimed to transform the lives of 214 children and 6 staff members at the Kalundu Central Community School in Zambia, and we’re pleased to say that the project is now complete!

The plan was to build 3 latrine blocks at the school; one block with 4 cubicles plus a urinal for the boys, one block with 6 cubicles and a washroom for the girls and 1 block with 2 cubicles for the staff, as well as a hand washing facility, in the hope that it would not only improve sanitation of both the pupils and staff, but improve health and lead to extra time being spent in education.

In June 2016, construction work began, and the team got to work to provide the school with new facilities to replace the unsafe and partially collapsed remains of the previous latrines. As well as Just a Drop, the Kalundu community were also heavily involved with the project, moulding a total of 80,000 pan bricks and 80,000 medium bricks, and transporting 40 tons of gravel, 90 tons of river sand, 100 tons of building sand and 15 tons of stones to the site!

After a few setbacks (like plenty of heavy rain!) the work is now complete, and the staff and pupils at Kalundu Central Community School are benefiting from the new facilities. The lack of clean latrines at the school, was one of the biggest disincentives for girls to attend, and now that the new latrines are in place, it is hopeful that they will help to improve attendance, prevent illnesses and even lead to an increase in enrolment.

The ATD team will be returning to Zambia next month, to visit the Kalundu Central Community School again. This time, we’ll be helping to build a playground that the children can enjoy. Make sure you check our blog for the latest updates.